they're more afraid of going over the cliff than obama is. and i fear that the republicans are going to re-establish their reputation as the tax collectors of the welfare state. >> has president obama's position hardened over the past few days. >> i don't know. i am just thinking how sweet it is what pat just sate. i agreed with everything you just said. i think it is always dangerous to be complacent that there is going to be a deal, given the stakes and the hardened political line, but ever since the speaker put revenue on the table, the republicans have been breaking rank, and i think they really don't want to go down protecting the tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. and you do see the beginnings of a deal. they will probably drag it out a bit longer, because each side wants to show their base that they're fighting very hard. but i think reasonableness may descend on washington and it is something that we should all applaud. >> ryan grim, do you think we will have reasonable connection on this? >> i don't think so. there was ano